Minister of Health Kim Wilson held a press conference yesterday [Nov 19] to provide an update on the Hamilton Health Centre, informing the public that it will re-open today [Nov 20].

Minister Wilson said, “In October of this year the Hamilton Health Centre building was not operational for a number of reasons. It had been under stress due to a number of structural problems with the facility, including three floods at the Hamilton Health Centre, water quality issues, and several unsuccessful attempts to resolve the problems. The fire at Warwick Clinic further compounded the demands placed on our resources and made business continuity a challenge for all involved.

“Department of Health management and staff, along with the Ministry of Public Works, worked together to find the cause of the continued problems, and to restore operations at the Health Centre.

“The primary challenge was that the maintenance teams have been unable to fully repair the plumbing problems and restore the facility to minimum operations. Staff and management were equally concerned about the impact on our patients, and the uncertainty of service provision. As a result we were able to stabilize services in relocated venues.

“There were also concerns with a number of structural problems and repairs underway.

“We appreciate staff resilience as this has been a significant period of time and clients and staff have become understandably frustrated. We are deeply appreciative of their patience and share their primary concerns about the impact on clients and the public.”

“As I stated in my last update, in the longer term, the Ministry and Government are evaluating the adequacy of the Hamilton Health Centre facility to meet the needs of public health services. Surveys have been undertaken and reports are expected in due course. This will be an ongoing discussion, but at this moment the priority was to stabilize services to the public and restore the Hamilton Health Centre to be operational.

“At this time I am happy to say that the Hamilton Health Centre, 67 Victoria Street will re-open for services tomorrow, Tuesday, November 20th with services as follows:

“Maternal Health & Family Planning services will continue at the Arches on Point Finger Road Paget until Tuesday and then resume services at Hamilton Health Centre on Wednesday November 21, 2018 – please call 278-6441 for an appointment

“Communicable Disease clinic services will continue at the Urgent Care Centre in St David’s until Wednesday and then resume services at Hamilton Health Centre on Thursday November 22, 2018 – please call 278-6442 for an appointment.

“The Department of Health wishes to thank the management and staff for your extraordinary efforts and commitment to keep public health services running in the most difficult of circumstances. We would also like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the closure of the Hamilton Health Centre.”